The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-05-05

| common impulse, to our illustriouS dead.
No one, however young, who wit.
messed that public demonstration OF
respect and affection can ever forget the
Goth of April, 1650-an entire CITY
shrouded with the emblems of mourning,
whilst uncounted thousands preserved
for hours q continuous and profound
silence. ''Ihe grief that does not speak,
whispers the o'er-fraught heart"
/ he last sad offices discharged, the re-
mains of John G. Calhoun we're buried
here, i'll the heart of this metropolis OF
South Carolina, conGded 20 us as q
precious trust, which orr people have
watched over with Jealous care, and at
whose suggestion tho State has raised
tho imposing tomb which now encloses
his honOrod remains.
This thirty-Seventh anniversary day
witnesses the same devotion to the mem
ory OF the illustrious dead. 1t is, how
ever, peculiarly touching, as the day of
successful elimination of the work of
the women Of Carolina, in perpetuating
the name and fame Of John G.. Calhoun.
'Whuteyer transports us from the
present to the past, from the near to the
remote, widens the mind as we'll as in
structs It; makes it reflective, sets it
free; whatever recalls to us eminent per-
sons, their commanding intellects and
engaging parts, above oil their fortitude
and self-sacrifice, reinforces our man
hood, and encourages our virtue
The enduring bronze that is uncover
ed here, and will here remain q witness
to coming generations of honor and
venerntions, is the tribute of Carolina's
daughters. 1t is sacred ssas their thought,
their sentiment and their labor. The
truth, the purity, the nobility, the in
tellectual and moral greatness of the
dead, are exalted i'll the gracious keeping
Of their tender and loyal hearts.
All honor to them in their work of
patriotism and love. All honor to them
in their unfnltering following, amid dire
trials and fateful struggles, Of this high
purpose, and its final achievement this
day. 10 them be our gratitude for rear
ing this grand memorial, that will for
ever keep before us the form and coun-
tenance of him whose mind ruled so
maJestically in life; who, whatever may
have been the fate Of some of his public
opinions IN the logic Of events in his
country's history, has this day the hon.
age of his countrymen everywhere, for
his vast intellectual power, his high
moral purpose, his unbending will, his
unsullied public and private life, and his
supreme devotion to duty.
An appropriate prayer was now offered
by the Rev. Chas Catesworth Pinckney,
Hector of Grace Church, Charleston.
TIE STATUE UNVEILED.
After brief interval the appointed
signal was given, and a band in the
midst OF the plaza suddenly poured forth
tho inspiring strains of "Dixie." The
vast multitude instantly recognized the
tamlilar strains before half dozen notes
had sounded, and began to cheer. In
the same instant The cords were drawn
by the lands OF fair young girls, the
flags that had closely draped the statue
up to this time ,nysteriously Quilted
their place and Hoatcd away to the height
OF the neighbOring standard, and the
majestic form of the great statesman
stood revealed to the eyes of his people
towering high above their heads, as
he had lowered i'll life above the men of
his day and generation.
1t was M impressive moment, and its
significance seemed felt by every heart
III the assembled host. The shouting
was quickly succeeded bya deep silence,
and every eye became fixed upon the
stern, bronzcd faco. The attitude of the
figure Is that assumed by Mr.. Calhoun
III delivering m address, and it seemed
TOR few moments as if the people felt
themselves to be in his presence aud eX-
pectcd him to speak to them again in
the long-hushed accents of wisdom and
warning.
The silence was more pleasantly
broken, however, by the voice of the
living instead, and the Rev. Chas. A.
St&kely reading the following
ODE, BY MISS Il. B. CHEESBoRoUGH.
When Truth looked from her starry
heights
And called for champions brave,
lie heard the summons and went forth
His native South to save.
Her balance in his honest hands
Fair Justice eager placed,
While Wisdom, with her radiant crown,
HIS subtle genius graced.
The Constitution was his star,
And guided by its light,
Ho stroye to steer the Ship Of State
Through the darkness Of the night.
Dlshonor, worse to him than death,
He sternly kept at bay,
And, on the whit1st heights Of Truth,
Serenely took his way.
lnyinciblo in logic stern,
All potent in debate,
lie sent the arrows winging back
10 tho cnyonomed heart of hate.
Ho bore the odium of roproach
While battling for the right;
Ills prophet voice in clarion tones
Foretold the coming night
When suns would set DER fields of blood,
And stars shlno o'er the same,
When Wars dread torches, hot and red,
O'er Southern homes would flame.
o, prophet of tho eagle oyel
., patriot without stain!
Ihou'st given priceless gift to us
In thy untarnished name.